Deal aims to keep open McGrath State Beach

A tentative plan to keep McGrath State Beach open and fund much-needed sewer repairs was hammered out Tuesday during a meeting hosted by Ventura County Supervisor John Zaragoza.

Zaragoza, representatives from Assemblyman Das Williams' office, county officials and State Parks District Superintendent Richard Rozzelle developed the game plan, which relies on a 50/50 funding formula.

"I am very, very happy. I am elated. We are going to keep it open," said Zaragoza, whose District 5 includes McGrath State Beach.

The popular park that attracts 650,000 visitors a year is scheduled to close Sept. 6.

California State Parks, which is facing budget cuts of $22 million over the next two years, doesn't have the estimated $500,000 needed to repair a rusting pipeline that carries sewage from the park's campgrounds under the Santa Clara River bridge on Harbor Boulevard to Ventura's wastewater treatment facility.

Rozzelle, superintendent of the Channel Coast District for California State Parks, said he will be submitting an application by Sept. 1 for a $250,000 grant from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The fund, administered by the National Park Service, provides matching grants to states and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities.

If successful, the grant would give the California State Parks enough money to fund half of the necessary money to repair a corroding sewer line at the McGrath State Beach campground.

Matching funds for the outstanding $250,000 would have to be found from other agencies and sources.

James Joyce, spokesman for Williams, D-Santa Barbara, said the plan includes a number of options for finding the matching funds.

"Based on the conversations we've had so far, we are very optimistic that the park won't close, but there are still logistics to be worked out," he said.

Rozzelle also expressed optimism that the closure might be prevented.

"If I get a clear indication that we've got enough money to keep it open, I won't close it," said Rozzelle.

Last week, Zaragoza asked Ventura County to explore the possibility of advancing the money to carry out the sewer repairs and seek to recoup the costs by leasing the park from the state for up to 10 years.

He said the new plan would allow the state to oversee the repairs and keep the management of McGrath State Beach in the state system.

The county and the city of Oxnard also are continuing to participate in the efforts to keep the park open, said Zaragoza, who also hopes to secure funds through private donations.

The goal is to keep the park open and maintain its regular schedule, he said.

"McGrath State Beach closes for the winter time and hopefully by that time we will have the funds and at that time can do the repairs to the sewer line and other repairs," Zaragoza said.